Oslo [Norway], October 22 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has come under pressure from US officials following a fresh dispute with President Donald Trump with Trump’s envoys reportedly reprimanding him during a closed-door meeting in Oslo, Norway The New York Times reported.
Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner told Zelensky during Tuesday’s meeting that the US president was deeply dissatisfied with him and angered by remarks he believed Zelensky had made against him. Zelensky denied making such statements, according to the report.
The meeting aimed to ease growing tensions between Trump and Zelensky over US decisions related to Russian diesel purchases, easing some sanctions on Moscow and limiting American assistance to Ukraine.
Witkoff travelled to Oslo before a planned visit to Russia while Kushner joined the meeting by video call because of illness. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also attended, both of whom have strongly supported Ukraine.
Zelensky faces a difficult balancing act as Ukraine depends on US weapons, intelligence and other assistance to defend itself against Russia’s invasion. Unlike Canada which imposed retaliatory tariffs in response to US duties, Kyiv has limited options for distancing itself from Washington.
Trump publicly reprimanded Zelensky during a February 2025 meeting in the White House Oval Office highlighting the strained relationship between the two leaders.
